AI in IT: The Future of Information Technology Applications

There can be no overstating the importance of artificial intelligence in information technology (IT).

It is virtually impossible for an organization to succeed and grow in the modern marketplace without a strong IT network. Beyond facilitating internal communications and operations, IT connects organizations with consumers, supporters, partners, investors, advisors, and other important stakeholders around the world.

As businesses and other organizations struggle to create, manage, maintain, secure, and optimize their IT systems, they welcome the invaluable support of today’s top AI developers and programmers. So, what is AI in information technology, and what are its various applications? Read on for the answers to some of your most pressing questions about information technology AI.

The Impact of AI on Information Technology

Given the supreme importance of information technology, it should come as little surprise that organizations are consistently demanding more of their IT teams. To better meet this mounting demand, IT professionals increasingly turn to artificial intelligence.

The Importance of AI in Information Technology

AI can be used to solve virtually any number of technology problems as well as streamline IT operations. Rather than addressing each IT issue manually, IT professionals can simply supply an AI platform with the right input data.

As explained by The National Law Review, input data, whether organized or raw, “is data added to an artificial intelligence (AI) to explain a problem, situation, or request.” After processing this data according to specific algorithms, AI creates a new set of data called output data, which can be used for a broad spectrum of automation, analysis, monitoring, customization, and decision-making purposes.

The Intersection of AI and IT

IT draws upon the power of AI in many ways. By automating simple, repetitive, and time-consuming tasks, AI can free up time for IT professionals to focus on higher-level strategic and creative thinking. Because AI is so fast and efficient, automation also saves organizations considerably in terms of time and money.

AI intersects successfully with IT to facilitate complex data analysis, perform predicative maintenance, and ensure full compliance with all applicable industry standards and government regulations. In the world of consumer experience, AI can deliver interactions that are incredibly responsive and highly personalized.

AI Technology for IT

To make operations more effective and efficient, the IT industry draws upon many different forms of AI technology. Here are just a few that have already impacted IT profoundly and hold tremendous promise for the future of the industry.

Machine Learning and Deep Learning

Two powerful subsets of AI, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) both use computer algorithms and modeling to allow computers to continually “learn” new things. Furthermore, ML and DL technology can predict outcomes and decision making based on the information it processes.

In the words of AI consultancy and development company Leeway Hertz, machine learning (ML) is a term encompassing the techniques for programming a computer to, “learn from data…. without being explicitly programmed.” As just one example of their immense power and usefulness, AI can improve cybersecurity efforts by automatically detecting and addressing threats in real time.

Deep learning is a special type of machine learning that deals specifically with multilayer deep neural networks (DNNs) driven by algorithms that attempt to imitate the complex mechanisms of the human brain to perform highly complicated network analyses using massive data sets. In her article “Exciting Developments in Machine Learning and AI!” InbuiltData data scientist Prachi Kumari discusses the nearly limitless potential for deep learning, listing applications for autonomous vehicles and recommendation systems as well as two exciting areas of AI technology addressed below: natural language processing and computer vision.

Natural Language Processing

If you’ve ever used a voice-activated virtual assistant such as Siri or Alexa, you are already familiar with the practical use of speech recognition software. In addition to listening to you when you speak and responding accordingly, these virtual assistants can speak back to you in a clear and conversational manner. This method of interacting with a computer device has proven extremely popular, particularly among users who are less technically inclined.

This technology uses something called natural language processing (NLP). Beyond giving ears and voice to countless virtual assistants, chatbots, and other digital entities, NLP “plays a role in sentiment analysis, which can help gauge user satisfaction and improve services.”

Computer Vision

Computer vision involves the use of computer devices and AI systems to gather visual data from one or more sources and then process, understand, analyze, and interpret that data. Functions such as identifying hardware issues, tracking warehouse inventory, and enhancing physical security are just a few tasks that can be handed quite effectively and efficiently by cameras and image recognition systems powered by computer vision AI.

Programs and Software

When it comes to developing and testing IT software, AI technology has proven to be an exceptional resource. Programmers routinely use AI to automate repetitive tasks such as writing simple snippets of code. After a program is finished, AI is indispensable when it comes to completing quality assurance measures such as ensuring proper operation and addressing bugs. Beyond the efficiency and speed associated with AI automation, programmers are fond of its ability to reduce human error and produce innovative productivity enhancements. By performing predictive analyses, AI can anticipate potential problems with programs and software before they occur, allowing IT professionals to head them off.

Benefits of Integrating AI in IT

AI has much to offer information technology professionals, so let’s discuss its specific advantages in different areas of IT. Here are just seven of the greatest benefits of strategic AI integration:

1.    Advanced Data Analysis Algorithms

We’ve already discussed the enormous impact of machine learning and deep learning algorithms when it comes to processing data, interacting with users, automating tasks, and facilitating decision-making. As Leeway Hertz puts it, “AI-driven algorithms empower organizations to extract valuable insights from vast and complex datasets, uncovering trends, patterns, and correlations that might otherwise remain hidden.”

Consider the vast potential these algorithms have on monitoring and maintaining the health of IT systems equipment. From web servers to data storage devices, the sheer amount of complex hardware needed to support a large IT network is extensive. Advanced AI data analysis predictive algorithms have proven exceptionally effective at performing maintenance on IT hardware by anticipating failures and other issues.

2.    AI-Based Cybersecurity Systems Detection and Prevention

Few elements of IT structure and maintenance are more important than data security. We have already discussed the incredible ability of AI technology to detect, assess, and address potential threats to security as it monitors network activity, user traffic, and system logs on a continual basis. These threats might include anything from phishing attacks to the installation of ransomware and other forms of malware. Simply put, traditional cybersecurity measures simply cannot match the ability of AI systems to predict and identify intrusions. After an intrusion is detected, AI can “trigger alerts, automate incident response actions, and even isolate affected devices or block malicious activities.”

3.    Cost Savings

By reducing response times to address potentially devastating cybersecurity breeches, AI IT measures can easily save a large corporation millions of dollars. But this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes incorporating AI into a company’s IT processes to dramatically improve that company’s bottom line. As we have already noted, AI can help an organization make better decisions, and decisions regarding cost efficiency rank among the most crucial that an organization faces. AI can successfully identify cost-cutting opportunities that may otherwise go unnoticed. AI also routinely saves companies substantial amounts of money by automating routine IT tasks, optimizing the use of IT resources, and generally streamlining IT operations.

4.    Seamless Scalability

In the words of Noble Desktop contributor Corey Ginsberg, “scalable AI refers to the ability of data models, infrastructures, and algorithms to adjust their complexity, speed, or size to handle different requirements efficiently.” An IT system that is scalable can easily and often, automatically adapt to handle any amount of operational traffic and raw information. AI offers seamless scalable analyses that ramp up to process massive data sets and make decisions in real time based on this analysis. In the world of IT, scalable AI refers to the unique ability of AI algorithms to work at the right speed and level of complexity to address any data set needed to meet overall system objectives. 

5.    Personalized Experiences Based on Preferences and Behaviors

Thanks in large part to their amazing ability to analyze massive amounts of specific consumer information, AI algorithms are quite adept at providing personalized user experiences that are tailored to meet each individual’s unique wants, needs, preferences, and behaviors. When users feel that a service is customized specifically to them, they tend to experience greater levels of consumer satisfaction, engendering far greater levels of company engagement. In the world of IT, AI can be used to profile users, recommend content to users, and deliver customized marketing messages. It can also use the information that it “knows” about each user to communicate with them in their preferred form (from social media to spoken language) and in a language they can understand.

6.    Innovation and Creativity Automation

“Contrary to popular belief, automation does not stifle human creativity; rather, it liberates it.” These words, spoken by Vinz Global founder and CEO Vinay Barigidad, echo sentiments shared throughout history regarding countless technological advancements. Will this new technology destroy the drive to innovate? 

However, the tools that we use have yet to sap us of our drive to innovate and create. In fact, those tools, although imperfect, have allowed us to stretch our creative efforts even further.

In the case of AI automation, it has already unburdened countless IT professionals of some of their most mundane daily tasks. The time and energy that this saves these professionals frees them up to “explore new ideas, devise novel strategies, and contribute to the development of groundbreaking solutions.” When it comes to using AI, or any new technology effectively, we must ask ourselves questions about which activities demand human intervention and creativity, and which to do not.

7.    Competitive Advantage Leveraging AI

This is perhaps the most important thing to realize about artificial intelligence in the modern world of information technology: if you aren’t using AI to streamline and enhance your IT operations, you can be sure your top competitor is! Simply put, few forces in today’s IT industry can promise greater competitive advantages than AI.

Preparing for a Career in IT

At Lindenwood University Online, we can help you make your IT career dreams a reality. We offer a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology that provides the solid foundation of knowledge and skills you need to enter the field.

To learn more about Lindenwood University Online, visit our website and submit a request for information.